English for Business software solutions abacus-communications

1. Let’s Do Business(copy of presentation at III Jornada "Solucions Interactives Multimèdia per a l'Ensenyament d'Idiomes: Sistemes e-learning) English for Business software solutions www.abacus-communications.com

2. Presentation Overview • Who are Abacus Communications? • What is “Let’s Do Business”? • Who is using “Let’s Do Business”? • How much does “Let’s Do Business” cost?

3. 1.1 Who are Abacus Communications? • Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland • Irish-owned company • Design, develop and deliver world-class e-learning solutions since 1996 • Over 40 man-years of software product development, software project management and multi-lingual content creation experience

4. 1.2 What software does Abacus offer? • LDB is the leading English for Business off-the-shelf language course for adults incorporating printed materials, CD and on-line resources and tutor support. • Abacus also integrates its own proprietary products and third party language software products into Learning Management Systems (LMS) and cooperates with leading edge e-learning companies in areas of authoring tools and broadband delivery.

5. 2.1 Let’s Do Business – key features • Pedagogically sound as it is based on years of academic research not technical gimmicks. • Specialised learning programme designed for adult learners not children. • Technically reliable as it is widely adopted in companies and academic organisations throughout Europe. • Conforms to software industry standards (AICC/SCORM) so compatible with leading industry Learning Management System (LMS) platforms. Can be integrated with third party content such as Webschool.

6. 2.2 Let’s Do Business – Content • Currently 350-400 hours of English for Business language practice • Courses include 3 Knowledge courses Grammar, Pronunciation & Vocabulary @ 3 levels; Basic to advanced 4 Skills courses, Telephoning, Presentations, Meetings and Negotiating for low intermediate to advanced levels of proficiency • Achievement tests in areas of grammar, pronunciation & vocabulary at three levels. • More content in the pipeline – 5 new courses in the “Best Practice” series

7. 2.3 Let’s Do Business – product features • Authentic business situations • Hours of audio & video content • Vocabulary-building tasks • Better accent practice • Spoken grammar exercises • Additional CD support • 6,000 business terms and phrases • User Management System Customer Comments “ Very user friendly… the audio quality is excellent …. The lay out of the screen is excellent … there is a huge amount of language practice … phonology exercises are inventive … vocabulary; there are some gems of exercises”

8. 3.1 Let’s Do Business – Blended Learning Computer-based learning with total immersion abroad Computer-based learning with local face-2-face tutor Computer-based learning with remote tutor Computer-based learning only Costs Abacus target group Numbers

9. Intensive Programmes (12-week) Foon Sprachtraining Audi From: Ahrens, Gillian I/AKA Sent: 07 October 2002 10:40 “The screen is useful, easy to navigate and allowing easy access to the toolbar should there be computer problems. The glossary is good, … The feedback is easy to understand and silent which makes it pleasant and not patronising. … It was good to hear mixed English pronunciations and not just RP. I couldn't resist using the achievement test (good name for it by the way). Extensive Programmes (2-3 years) France Telecom Sally Lenoir / France Telecom Responsable Formation en Anglais I basically try to teach even the lower levels with simplified professional English …. I get even the lower intermediate levels to give simple, but very structured presentations, so that they can help out on stands at a trade show, for example. I have been showing the internet version you sent me to ….. She was very interested and .... the variety of exercises and means to carry them out (dragging, typing, etc) was also appreciated. 3.2 Let’s Do Business – Case Studies

10. 3.3 Let’s Do Business – Benefits to school owners • Train more students for less cost • Manage classroom capacity efficiently • Rebranding rights • No content development costs • Full technical support available • Utilise skills of experienced & qualified teachers • Increased sales margins

11. 3.4 Let’s Do Business – Benefits to Companies • Better trained, more effective workforce • Measure return on training investment • Train more personnel for less cost • “Just-in-time” training • Consistent course quality • Maximise investment in technology infrastructure

12. Annual Subscription Model Unlimited time ASP or customised Fixed cost Fixed names (no substitutes permitted ) “Pay As You Use” Model Fixed hours (min.) ASP or customised Variable Cost Unlimited subscribers 4.1 Let’s Do Business – Business Models

13. Corporate Starter Kit 100 subscribers or 10,000 hours access 100 complementary books 100 attractive executive briefcase CDs for off-line practice ASP or customised Tutor-training provided @ 2.50 per hour Corporate Standard package 250 subscribers or 25,000 hours access 250 complementary books 250 attractive executive briefcase CDs for off-line practice ASP or customised Tutor-training provided @ 2.40 per hour 4.2 Let’s Do Business – Corporate Packages

14. 4.3 Let’s Do Business – SME & Schools package • 20 subscribers or 1,000 hours • 20 complementary coursebooks • 20 attractive executive briefcases • CDs for off-line practice • @ 5.00 per hour • ASP delivery only (Abacus hosts and manages the service)

15. Competition comes from global players as well as at a national level. Competition suggests a maturing market ready to deploy e-language learning solutions. Customers have a appetite for novelty so there is a never-ending requirement for “new” content. Abacus’ On-Line products can be clearly distinguished from the competition according to a number of criteria; variety of Spoken English offered (American, Australian, British, etc.) type of English offered (English for business) levels of proficiency (low intermediate to advanced) target group (adult learners only) conformance with international industry standards (pedagogical and technical) other added value (CD support, printed materials, tutoring either remote or face-2-face) Let’s Do Business – the competition

16. Thank you for your attentionHopefully, I have answered the questions clearly Who Abacus Communications are? What “Let’s Do Business” is? Who uses “Let’s Do Business”? How much “Let’s Do Business” costs? So “Let’s Do Business”! www.abacus-communications.com